Special Districts and Regional Government

Councils, commission, boards, and districts that work within or across jurisdictions.

Great Lakes Information Network
A Great Lakes Commission project, the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN) is a gateway to the Great Lakes region of North America. Its data holdings and services cover the environment, economy, tourism, education, maps and GIS, demographics and much more. Launched in 1993, GLIN has been growing ever since.

Lower Minnesota River Watershed District
The Lower Minnesota River Watershed District helps coordinate residential, recreation, and business in an effort to maintain strong commerce while improving the quality of the river.

Metropolitan Airports Commission
The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) oversees air transportation in a seven county area extending 35 miles outward from the city halls of Minneapolis and St. Paul. The commission operates Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and six reliever airports.

Metropolitan Council
The Metropolitan Council is a 17-member body appointed by the Governor that coordinates the long-range planning for the seven-county metro area. The Council also operates a transit system that carries more than 80 million riders per year, provides wastewater collection and treatment services for more than 100 communities and oversees a regional parks system that attracts more than 33 million visitors per year.

Metropolitan Mosquito Control District
The Metropolitan Mosquito Control District (MMCD) provides a variety of services to 2.5 million people living in an area covering 2,600 square miles in the seven county Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota metropolitan area. Some services include: Survey for and control mosquitoes that transmit human diseases, Monitor deer tick populations and provide public education regarding Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.

Minnesota Soil & Water Conservation District
MASWCD is a nonprofit organization which exists to provide leadership and a common voice for Minnesota's soil and water conservation districts and to maintain a positive, results-oriented relationship with rule making agencies, partners and legislators; expanding education opportunities for the districts so they may carry out effective conservation programs.

Mississippi Headwaters Board
Formed in 1980 as an alternative to designation of the river into the National Wild and Scenic River System, the Mississippi Headwaters Board (MHB) works to protect and preserve the first 400 miles of the Mississippi River in Minnesota.

Municipal Building Commission
The MBC has served as the steward for the historic Minneapolis City Hall and Courthouse since the building's completion in 1906. The MBC was established as an independent board under special state legislation known as "Chapter 395, Special Laws of 1887.

St. Paul Port Authority
Since 1932, the Saint Paul Port Authority has contributed to the East Metro's growth and prosperity by providing businesses with cleaner land on which to expand, space on the Mississippi River to receive and ship commodities efficiently, loans for real estate and equipment purchases, and job training and career development for workers.

Three Rivers Park District
Three Rivers Park District is a natural resources-based park system located in the suburban Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area of Minnesota that manages nearly 27,000 acres of park reserves, regional parks, regional trails and special-use facilities.